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A Grand Marais woman is now facing a more serious criminal charge than her husband, who allegedly used a wrecking bar, knife and handgun to force another man to have sex with her.

Kevin Robert Thompson, 52, and Susan Ann Thompson, 40, each were charged in July with several crimes against a 41-year-old Cook County man with whom Susan Thompson had been having an affair. Judge Kenneth Sandvik denied motions Tuesday to dismiss the cases and ruled that sufficient evidence has been produced to present them to a jury.

However, the court dismissed two of six charges against Kevin Thompson, including the most serious — second-degree criminal sexual conduct. He is charged with kidnapping, second-degree assault, terroristic threats and false imprisonment.

Susan Thompson remains charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct, as well as kidnapping and false imprisonment. The former is punishable by a presumed prison sentence of 7½ years.

According to a report in the Duluth News Tribune, Sandvik based his order on police reports, evidence presented at a Nov. 3 hearing, and briefs filed by defense attorneys Richard Holmstrom, who represents Kevin Thompson, and Christopher Stocke, who represents Susan Thompson. Cook County Attorney Timothy Scannell is prosecuting the cases.

Holmstrom said there was no legal basis for a charge of criminal sexual conduct. Stocke said that Susan Thompson is not guilty of any of the crimes she is charged with. Attorney Tim Scannell could not be reached for comment.